Alarm system with verbal warning



MalCh 21 1957 TAKl-:Kl TAKARABE ETAL 3,310,793

ALARM SYSTEM WITH VERBAL WARNING 4 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Feb. 9, 1965 ATTYS.

MarCh 21, 3957 TAKEKI TAKARABE ETAL 3,310,793

ALARM SYSTEM WITH VERBAL WARNING Filed Feb, 9, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTYS.

March 21, 1967 TAKEKI TAKARABE ETAL 3,310,793

ALARM SYSTEM WITH VERBAL WARNING Filed Feb. 9, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 1 i l l l l ATTYS.

Malh 2l, l957 TAKEKI TAKARABE ETAL 3,310,793

ALARM SYSTEM WITH VERBAL WARNING Filed Feb. 9, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 ATTYS.

United States Patent 3,319,793 ALARM SYS EM WITH VERBAL WARNZNG Takeki Takarabe, Nerima-ku, Tokyo, and Shoji Chikaraishi, hta-ku, Tokyo, Japan, assignors to Kabushiki Kaisha Tokyo Keiki Seizosho (Tokyo Keiki Seizosho Co., Ltd.). Tokyo, Japan, a corporation of `Iapan Filed Feb. 9, 1965, Ser. No. 431,343 Claims priority, application Japan, Feb. l2, 1964, S19/7,299 6 Claims. (Cl. 340-221) This invention relates to an alarm device for the objects of control such as temperature and pressure of each part of various mechanisms, for example, a generator, a liquid level of a tank and the like, more particularly to an alarm device which directly info-.ms the content of an alarm by means of words or a voice, other than an alarm device heretofore employed which indirectly informs the content of an alarm by means of a bell, buzzer, siren, gong -or the like.

It the objects of control such yas temperature and pressure of, for example, a generator or a liquid levei of a tank is not held at a prescribed value during normal operation, a desired performance of its whole system cannot be expected. Furthermore, the function of its entire system is sometimes lost even by a change of one of the objects of control. Therefore, the value of the objects of control is always measured and when the value varies due to some causes the variation is immediately informed so as to remove the cause. Hitherto, alarm devices have been used which raise an alarm by means of a bell, buzzer, siren, gong or the like merely according to accidents. However, it is relatively diiiicult in a system having many objects of control to detect what or which point is out of order, so that a delay in detection of the wrong point is Ioccasioned and bad influences are often exerted upon the entire system. The prior art devices inevitably possess such disadvantages. In addition, even if the wrong point is found in this case, it is impossible to know what the trouble really is. That is, the alarm device merely informs that the object of controluis out of order and an operator cannot promptly judge what step must be taken to remove the cause of the trouble, unless he is skilled in the art. Furthermore, even when two or more `of the objects of control are out of order simultaneously owing to some trouble at a point other than the objects of control, the conventional alarm device only informs the trouble of the objects of control without informing the cause of such trouble. Therefore, only a highly skilled person can tind the real cause of the trouble. In such a case, if the content of the trouble is informed by means of an aural message, an operator who is not very skilled in the art can take a suitable step to remove the trouble.

Accordingly, a primary object of this invention is to provide an alarm device which informs directly by means of an aural message the content of a trouble in the object of control and a counterplan to remove the trouble. Another object of this invention is to provide an alarm device which informs directly by means of an aural message the content of troubles caused simultaneously in a plurality of the objects of control, the cause common to them and a counterplan to remove the cause.

Other objects, features and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a systematic connection diagram illustrating an example of an alarm device for the object of control according to this invention; and

FIGURES 2 to 4, inclusive, are `also systematic connection diagrams respectively illustrating other examples of this invention.

FIGURE l, A1, A2, An respectively indicate the objects `of control, with which signal generators S1, S2, S11 are associated, which respectively operate when the objects are out of order. Each of these signal generators S1, S2, S11 may be formed to have contact structure connected to a pow-er source and it closes when a trouble occurs in the object of control, by which a step voltage is led out through the contact. In this case, the contact may operate as a contact of, for example, a temperature or pressure switch. In the figure, a power source E is connected through a contact a to a load L and its both ends are utilized as output ends. The contact a is so designed as to close due to a trouble of the object of control and a step voltage is obtained at the both ends of the load L. Associated with the signal generators S1, S2, Sn are memory circuits M1, M2,

M11. These memory circuits have a switching function of a relay circuit or the like including, for example, a dip-flop circuit or a differentiation circuit and they are actuated by the output respectively from the signal generators S1, S2, Sn and have a memory function that they hold their actuation. In the tig-ure, the memory circuit consists of a differentiation circuit U including a capacitor C and a resist-or R connected to the output end of the signal generator, a relay coil L1, a pair of its movable contacts bo and C11 and a pair of normally closed fixed contacts b1 and c1 and a pair of normally open contacts b2 and c2. The output end of the diiferentiation circuit U is connected to the relay coil L1 through the contacts b1 and bo. The contacts b2 and c2 are connected respectively to the positive and negative power sources -I-B and -B, and output terminals are led out from the contacts bo and cn.

To the memory circuits M1, M2, an instructor T in common to them. When one of the memory circuit M1, M2, Mn has made a memory, the instructor T detects the circuit and generates a signal to select an aural information source corresponding 'to the circuit having made a memory. In FIGURE l, the instructor T is composed fof diodes D1, D2, Dn respectively connected to the contacts C0, namely each one of the output terminals of the memory circuits M1, M2, Mn, an amplitier AM1 connected in common to these diodes, a relay coil L2 actuating a pair of contacts do and e@ connected to a positive power source -l-B, and an amplier AM2 for getting the amplifier AM1 out of operation and energizing the relay coil L2. There are provided terminals connected respectively to the ampliiier AM1, the contacts do and co and the input side of the amplifier AM2. A switching circuit SW1 is connected in common t-o the memory circuits M1, M2, M11. By the command of the instructor T, the switching circuit SW1 operates to select and change-over one of the memory circuits M1, M2, Mn. As is illustrated in the figure, the switching circuit SW1 may be of a rotary contact structure which consists of fixed contacts f11, fh, respectively connected to the contacts bo -ly the output terminals of the memory M1, M2, M11, a rotary movable contact fm and a relay coil L3 formed to change-over the movable contact fw step by step in a sequential order. The relay coil L3 is connected to the output terminal of the amplifier AM1 of the instructor T and the movable contact f1() is connected to the input terminal of the amplier AM2 of the instructor T.

Furthermore, another switching `circuit SW2 is connected in common to the memory circuits M1, M2, M11. The switching circuit SW2 interlocks or gangs with the aforementioned switching circuit SW1 and operates to reset a memory circuit having made a memory in re- Mn is connected 3,310 vos sponse to a signal from a reset and memory switch circuit described later. This switching circuit SW2 may be formed in exactly the sarne manner as the aforementioned switching circuit SW1, so that parts corresponding to those of the switching circuit SW1 are marked with the same numerical reference but with suiiixes such as 2i), 21. 22 2n. The other terminals of the memory circuits M1, M2, Mn, namely the contacts b1, are connected respectively to the fixed contacts f21, f22, f23 i211 and a terminal is connected to the movable contact f23.

Furthermore, -aural information sources B1, B2, B1, are provide-d which correspond to the objects of control A1, A2, A11. When some of the objects of control have got out of order, aural informations of the content of the trouble and a method for removing it are obtained from the aural information sources. These aural information sources may be Composed of magnetic tapes P1,

P2, Pn having, for exam-ple, the above aural informations recorded thereon and magnetic heads H1, H2, Hn respectively corresponding to the magnetic tapes. These magnetic tapes may be driven respectively, for instance in an endless manner. To give the tap-es in an endless manner, the magnetic tapes are so designed as to be driven by capstan CP in common to them in the figure. MT is a motor for driving the capstan. To the aural information sources B1, B2, Bn is connected a switching circuit SW3 in common to them, by which one of the aural information sources is selected. This switching circuit SW3 may be formed in the same manner as the switching circuits SW1 and SW2 and the circuit SW3 is ganged with them. Accordingly, the switching circuit SW3 selects an aural information source which corresponds to a memory circuit chosen by the switching circuit S J1 due to a command of the instructor T. In FIGURE 1, parts of the switching circuit SW3 corresponding to those of the circuit SW1 are marked with the same numeral reference j but with suffixes such as Si), Si, 32, 3ft. At the next stage of the switching circuit SW3, its movable contact f3() is connected to a voice or audio frequency amplifier AM3, to which a speaker S? is connected. in this case, a power source circuit for the amplifier AM2 is so designed as to .close for the first time when the instructor T detects the operation of the memory circuit, by which power may not be unnecessarily consumed by the amplifier AM3. To this end, the terminal of the instructor T, namely the contact do is connected to the pov/er source circuit of the amplifier AM.

A cam contact mechanism F is provided which is associated with the capstan CP or the motor MT and the mechanism F is formed in such a manner that contacts arc closed at positions corresponding to the start 4and end of the records on the respective magnetic tapes. In the figure two contacts go and lio are provided. This cam mechanism F is connected to a memory and reset-switch circuit RS. As is illustrated in FGURE 1, the memory and reseoswitch circuit RS consists of a relay coil L1 having one end thereof connected to both ends of the grounded Contact go, a memory Contact i3 and a reset contact jo, the contact i being inserted between the contact h3 having one end thereof grounded and the movable Contact f23 of the switching circuit SW2. A confirmation circuit K which may preferably have a push-button contact ko is provided, and its Contact ko is inserted between one end of the relay coil L1 `and the positive side +B of a power source. Furthermore, the contact i1, is also inserted between one end of the relay coil and the positive side +B of the source.` The motor MT is connected to the power source through the Contact d3 of the instructor T.

With such an arrangement as described above, when one of a plurality of the objects of control gets out of order an operator can learn from the speaker SP the content of the trouble and a counterplan thereto. That is, if the objects of control, for example, A1 gets out of order, the contact a o f 4the signal generator S1 closes and a step voltage is produced across the both ends of the load L. This step voltage is differentiated by the differentiation circuit U at its rising time and the differentiated output is suppiied to the relay coil L1 through the contacts b1 and i911 to change-over the contacts bo and co to the fixed contacts b2 and c2. Thus, the relay coil L1 is connected to the power source +B and held by itself and the memory circuit M1 makes a memory that the object of control A1 is out of order.

On the other hand, since the diode D1 of the instructor' T is connected to the power source -B through the contacts co and c2, the diode D1 becomes conductive and ac cordingly the amplifier AM1 also becomes conductive, whereby an output of a certain level is obtained from thc output of the amplifier AM1 and the output is supplied to the relay coil L3. In response to this, the movable contact f1@ of the relay coil L3 selects the fixed contacts 111,`

i12, 7111 at every step. When the contact i111 has reached the fixed contact 111, the contact 111 is connected to the power source -B through the contacts c1, and c2 and the amplifier AM2 acts to obtain an output of a certain level. Then, the output is supplied to the relay coil L2, thereby to close its contacts do and e3. Accordingly, as soon as the motor begins to operate, the amplifier AM3 becomes actuative. At this time, the operation of the amplifier AM1 is turned oli by the output of the amplifier AM2. The contact fm is in contact with the contact 111 and the .contacts f2@ and f33 of the switching circuits SW2 and SW3 interlocking with the switching circuit SW1 are connected respectively to the contacts )(21 and f31, thereby selecting the memory circuit M1 and the magnetic hea-d H1 of the aural information source B1. Accordingly, a signal from the aural information source B1 is suitably amplified by the amplifier AM3 through the switching circuit SW3 and the speaker SP informs an occurrence of the trouble in the object A1 together with its content and a couuterplan therefor. The Content of the aural information source B1 is repeatedly broadcast duc to endless driving ofthe magnetic tape P1, but the contacts g3, and ,'10 of the cam mechanism F are closed. for examprc, at every broadcasting. When the operator knows the trouble and its content, he will immediately be able to close the confirmation contact k2. i

In such a case, since the relay coil L1 is connected to the power source +B through the contact ko, the relay coil L4 is energized to close its contact i0, lby which the relay coil L4 is in selfhold and the contact f3 also closes. When the contacts go and h3 close, the ground of the contact h1, is connected to the relay coil L1 of the memory circuit M1 through the reset contact in and the contacts f23 and y21 of the switching circuit SW2. Accordingly, the contacts bo and co of the relay coil L1 are reset and the contacts d0 and e0 of the relay coil L2 are also reset, putting the amplifier AM3 out of operation and stopping the motor MT. At the same time, the ground of the contact go is connected to the relay coil L1, by which its contacts jo and i3 are reset.

FIGURE 2 illustrates another example of this invention. In this example, each of aural information sources B1, B2, B11, which are the same as illustrated in FIGURE l, comprises independently a capstan CP and a motor MT and is formed to he of a cartridge type, including a mag# netic tape and a magnetic head. The aural information sources are respectively provided with cam contact mechanisms F1, F2 F1, and these sources are the same as those in FIGURE 1 except that contacts ho of ,the cam contact mechanisms are connected together and connected to a contact 1'11 of a memory reset switch circuit RS and that contacts g1, are similarly connected together and connected to a contact jo. The operation of the device above mentioned will be easily understood from that of the device shown in FIGURE 1. For the sake of brevity,- no further explanation will be made in this specification.`

FIGURE 3 illustrates another example of this invention, in which when two or more of a plurality of objects of control have got out of order simultaneously the content of the troubles common to them are to be informed. To perform this, another memory circuit Mm is provided in addition to memory circuits M1, M2, Mn and fixed contacts flm, fzm and f3m are provided in switching circuits SW1 SW2 and SW3 respectively. Furthermore, another diode Dm is provided in the group of diodes of an instructor T and their connections are the same as in FIGURE 1. On the other hand, the output ends of two memory circuits, for example, M2 and M3 corresponding to the objects of control A2 and A3 relative to each other, namely contacts, for example, bo are connected to a load circuit Rm respectively through diodes Dm and Dam and their output ends are connected to the input end of the memory circuit Mm. Thus, the content of an alarm due to the relationship between the objects of control A2 and A3 can be informed, as is apparent from the foregoing made in connection with FIGURE l.

FIGURE 4 illustrates another example of this invention, in which an alarm is raised due to the relationship which is the same as in FIGURE 3. Also in this example, a memory circuit Mm, an aural information source Bm and contacts flm, fzm and fam of switching circuits SW1, SW2 and SW3 are provided. Output ends of signal generators relative to each other are connected to a load circuit Lm respectively through diodes Dgm and Dam and their output ends are connected to an amplifier AMm. Then, the output end of the amplifier AM,n is connected through contacts lml and lmo to relay coil Lm having a pair of movable contacts lmo and mma, fixed contacts 1m, and 1mg to the contact 1mb and fixed contacts mm1 and mm2 to the contact mmc. The contacts 1mg and mm2 are connected to the power source -i-B and the contact mmc is connected to the input end of the memory circuit Mm. Since other components are the same as in FIG- URES 1 and 3, their explanation will be omitted. In this case, however, it is necessary that the contact fzm of the switching circuit SW2 is connected to the relay coil Lm, thereby applying ground to the coil to reset it when resetting.

It will be apparent that many modifications and variations may be effected without departing from the scope of the novel concept of this invention.

What is claimed is:

`1. An alarm device announcing a message upon the occurrence of a condition in each of a plurality of systems, comprising (a) a plurality of transducers each corresponding to and associated with a respective system and each including a control signal generator generating an output signal upon the occurrence of the condition,

(b) first memory circuits each connected to and responsive to an output of a respective signal generator,

(c) control means connected to each of said first memory circuits and responsive to an output of any one of said first memory circuits for producing a switching signal,

(d) means responsive to said switching signal for selectively connecting each of said first memory circuits to said control means to disable said switching signal upon connection of the respective memory circuit which has an output corresponding to the occurrence of the associated condition,

(e) aural information sources each respectively corresponding to a respective one of the plurality of conditions,

(f) an aural message generating device connected to said sources for broadcasting information from said sources,

(g) a first switching circuit responsive to said switching signal for selectively connecting each of said aural information sources to said generating device in synchronism with the selective connection of said fi memory circuits to said control means by said connecting means, and

(h) a reset circuit connected to each of said first memory circuits for returning the device to its initial position.

2. An alarm device as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said signal generators includes a power source, a load, and a switch responsive to the occurrence of a condition connected between said power source and said load.

3. An alarm device as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said first memory circuits includes a differentiation circuit connected to an output of a respective one of said signal generators, a relay connected to said differentiation circuit, and a voltage source, said relay including a self holding contact disposed for connection to said voltage source in response to the output signal from a respective one of said signal generators and disposed for disconnection from said voltage source in response to an output of said reset circuit and contact means for delivering said output signal to said control means.

4. An alarm device as defined in claim 1 wherein said control means includes a plurality of diodes each connected to an output of a respective one of said first memory circuits, a first amplifier having an input connected in common to said diodes, an output of said first amplifier being connected to said connecting means and to said first switching circuit for actuation of each, and a second amplifier having an output connected to the input of said first amplifier and deactivating said first `amplifier in response thereto, the output of said second amplifier being connected to said aural information sources, said connecting means being connected between an input of said second amplifier and each of said first memory circuits.

5. An alarm device as defined in claim 1 further comprising a second memory circuit connected to outputs of a respective pair of first memory circuits and responsive to a coincidence of the respective outputs of said pair for producing a corresponding output therefrom, said control means -being connected to said second memory circuit and responsive to an output therefrom to produce said switching signal, said connecting means being further responsive to said switching signal for further selectively connecting said second memory circuit to said control means to disable said switching signal upon connection of said second memory circuit.

6. An alarm device as defined in claim 1 further comprising a second memory circuit connected to outputs of a respective pair of said transducers and responsive to a coincidence of the respective outputs of said pair for producing a corresponding output therefrom, said control means -being connected to said second memory circuit and responsive to an output therefrom to produce said switchin-g signal, said connecting means being further responsive to said switching signal for further selectively connecting said second memory circuit to said control means to disable said switching signal upon connection of said second memory circuit.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,991,448 7/1961 Diamond et al. 340-221 X 3,015,70'2 1/1962 Vogel et al. 3,081,431 3/ 1963 Werner et al. 3,141,069 7/ 1964 Withey. 3,155,182 11/1964 Rackman. `3,161,729 12/1964 McCarty et al. 3,163,819 12/1964 Calhoun.

FOREIGN PATENTS 1,068,901 11/ 1959 Germany.

NEIL C. READ, Primary Examiner. R. M.ANGUS, lD. YUSKO, Assistant Examiners. 

1. AN ALARM DEVICE ANNOUNCING A MESSAGE UPON THE OCCURRENCE OF A CONDITION IN EACH OF A PLURALITY OF SYSTEMS, COMPRISING (A) A PLURALITY OF TRANSDUCERS EACH CORRESPONDING TO AND ASSOCIATED WITH A RESPECTIVE SYSTEM AND EACH INCLUDING A CONTROL SIGNAL GENERATOR GENERATING AN OUTPUT SIGNAL UPON THE OCCURRENCE OF THE CONDITION, (B) FIRST MEMORY CIRCUITS EACH CONNECTED TO AND RESPONSIVE TO AN OUTPUT OF A RESPECTIVE SIGNAL GENERATOR, (C) CONTROL MEANS CONNECTED TO EACH OF SAID FIRST MEMORY CIRCUITS AND RESPONSIVE TO AN OUTPUT OF ANY ONE OF SAID FIRST MEMORY CIRCUITS FOR PRODUCING A SWITCHING SIGNAL, (D) MEANS RESPONSIVE TO SAID SWITCHING SIGNAL FOR SELECTIVELY CONNECTING EACH OF SAID FIRST MEMORY CIRCUITS TO SAID CONTROL MEANS TO DISABLE SAID SWITCHING SIGNAL UPON CONNECTION OF THE RESPECTIVE MEMORY CIRCUIT WHICH HAS AN OUTPUT CORRESPONDING TO THE OCCURRENCE OF THE ASSOCIATED CONDITION, (E) AURAL INFORMATION SOURCES EACH RESPECTIVELY CORRESPONDING TO A RESPECTIVE ONE OF THE PLURALITY OF CONDITIONS, (F) AN AURAL MESSAGE GENERATING DEVICE CONNECTED TO SAID SOURCES FOR BROADCASTING INFORMATION FROM SAID SOURCES, (G) A FIRST SWITCHING CIRCUIT RESPONSIVE TO SAID SWITCHING SIGNAL FOR SELECTIVELY CONNECTING EACH OF SAID AURAL INFORMATION SOURCES TO SAID GENERATING DEVICE IN SYNCHRONISM WITH THE SELECTIVE CONNECTION OF SAID MEMORY CIRCUITS TO SAID CONTROL MEANS BY SAID CONNECTING MEANS, AND (H) A RESET CIRCUIT CONNECTED TO EACH OF SAID FIRST MEMORY CIRCUITS FOR RETURNING THE DEVICE TO ITS INITIAL POSITION. 